Indigenous Knowledge Systems

2018 ◽  
pp. 5036-5045
Author(s):  
Osarumwense Iguisi ◽  
Osaro Rawlings Igbinomwanhia
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
The West ◽  
Management Philosophy ◽  
Building Models ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge Systems ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
Management Theories

This conceptual paper draws attention to the relevance of cultures to management philosophy with the purpose of contributing to a culturally viable practice of management in Africa. It has been shown that the different management theories in the form that they have been developed in the West may not fit culturally in Africa. However, in developing theories and building models of management theories in Africa, it is unlikely to pay Africans to throw away all that the West has to offer. Rather, the process of appropriate management theorizing should be to reflect on the assumptions of Western management theories, compare Western assumptions about social and cultural values with African cultural values and rebuild the theories or models through experimentation. The use of anthropological and philosophical concepts in this context will help in development of appropriate management practice.

Indigenous Knowledge Systems

2019 ◽  
pp. 344-355
Author(s):  
Osarumwense Iguisi ◽  
Osaro Rawlings Igbinomwanhia
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
The West ◽  
Management Philosophy ◽  
Building Models ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge Systems ◽  
Management Theories

This chapter draws attention to the relevance of cultures to management philosophy with the purpose of contributing to a culturally viable practice of management in Africa. It has been shown that the different management theories in the form that they have been developed in the West may not fit culturally in Africa. However, in developing theories and building models of management theories in Africa, it is unlikely to pay Africans to throw away all that the West has to offer. Rather, the process of appropriate management theorizing should be to reflect on the assumptions of Western management theories, compare Western assumptions about social and cultural values with African cultural values, and rebuild the theories or models through experimentation. The use of anthropological and philosophical concepts in this context will help in development of appropriate management practice.

A Cultural Approach to African Management Philosophy

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 23-33
Author(s):  
Osarumwense Iguisi
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Culturally Appropriate ◽  
The West ◽  
Management Philosophy ◽  
Indigenous Management ◽  
Cultural Approach ◽  
Building Models ◽  
Management Capabilities ◽  
Management Theories

Despite acknowledging the existence of indigenous management capabilities and skills in Africa, management practice in precolonial African societies was seen by the colonizers as primitive management. Africans have ways of exercising power and authority at the workplace, ways of motivating and rewarding people to make them work harder. Neither the institutions nor the political structures put in place by the colonizers acknowledge these indigenous knowledge structures, but much of them have survived in the traditions and cultural values of the African people. However, unlike in Europe and most parts of Asia, the attempted modernization or Westernization after independence has completely neglected the indigenous sociocultural knowledge and tried to transplant western management theories and models to traditional African societies. This article draws attention to the relevance of cultures to management philosophy with the purpose of contributing to a culturally appropriate practice of management in Africa. It has been shown that the different management theories in the form that they have been developed in the West reflect western philosophical thoughts which may not fit culturally in Africa management practice. However, in developing theories and building models of management theories in Africa, it is unlikely to pay Africans to throw away all that the West has to offer. Rather, the approach to appropriate management theorizing is to reflect on assumptions of Western management theories, compare Western assumptions about sociocultural values with African cultural values to rebuild the theories and models. The use of anthropological and philosophical concepts in this context will help in the development of appropriate management practice.

A Cultural Approach to African Management Philosophy

2020 ◽  
pp. 99-110
Author(s):  
Osarumwense Iguisi
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Knowledge Structures ◽  
The Political ◽  
The West ◽  
Management Philosophy ◽  
Cultural Approach ◽  
Building Models ◽  
Management Capabilities ◽  
Management Theories

Despite acknowledging the existence of indigenous management capabilities and skills in Africa, management practice in precolonial African societies was seen by the colonizers as primitive management. Africans have ways of exercising power and authority at the workplace, ways of motivating and rewarding people to make them work harder. Neither the institutions nor the political structures put in place by the colonizers acknowledge these indigenous knowledge structures, but much of them have survived in the traditions and cultural values of the African people. However, unlike in Europe and most parts of Asia, the attempted modernization or Westernization after independence has completely neglected the indigenous sociocultural knowledge and tried to transplant western management theories and models to traditional African societies. This article draws attention to the relevance of cultures to management philosophy with the purpose of contributing to a culturally appropriate practice of management in Africa. It has been shown that the different management theories in the form that they have been developed in the West reflect western philosophical thoughts which may not fit culturally in Africa management practice. However, in developing theories and building models of management theories in Africa, it is unlikely to pay Africans to throw away all that the West has to offer. Rather, the approach to appropriate management theorizing is to reflect on assumptions of Western management theories, compare Western assumptions about sociocultural values with African cultural values to rebuild the theories and models. The use of anthropological and philosophical concepts in this context will help in the development of appropriate management practice.

scholarly journals Indigenous knowledge, an unexploited source for Sustainable Development: An Opportunity for Africapitalism

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrietta Onwuegbuzie ◽  
Adun okpe ◽  
Eseroghene Orighoyegha
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Emerging Markets ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Management Philosophy ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge Systems ◽  
Socio Economic Development

<p>Sustainable development in developing countries, particularly in Africa, has been of interest among scholars, practitioners and policymakers for decades. There is increased acknowledgment of Indigenous knowledge as an underexploited, yet invaluable source of sustainable development in emerging markets. This paper thus examines the constructs of Africapitalism management philosophy and indigenous knowledge. We examine diverse ways through which Africapitalism can embed indigenous knowledge systems as a key growth driver for sustainable socio-economic development. Finally, we discuss the implications for researchers and policy makers.</p>

scholarly journals Implications of a technoscientific culture on personhood in Africa and in the West

2005 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cornel Du Toit
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
Community Life ◽  
The West ◽  
History Of Development ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge Systems ◽  
History Of ◽  
African Community ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Rich History

This paper endeavours to converge on present-day experiences of self. This is done against the backdrop of the interdependence between person (organism) and environment (physical and cultural). The rich history of development of personhood in the West is discussed with reference to the metaphor of mask for personhood. Cultural epochs are described as phonocentric (in front of the mask), logocentric (behind the mask) and virtuocentric (between non-present masks). The history of modernism led to the experience of the end of personhood in the West. The restoration of personhood (subjectivity) seems possible through the restoration of some form of communitarianism. This brings Africa in focus. In an enigmatic way Africa knows science and utilises technology, but simultaneously relativises it in favour of traditional customs which the Western mind may judge to be mythological and primitive. African personhood is discussed with reference to African science in the format of Indigenous knowledge systems, to African community life as ubuntu, and to the place of seriti in African metaphysics.

scholarly journals Akan Indigenous Knowledge Systems and the Christian Faith in Ghana: A Review of the Major Works of Robert Rattray

2021 ◽  
pp. 107-119
Author(s):  
Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Belief Systems ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
Christian Faith ◽  
Critical Examination ◽  
The People ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge System ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge Systems ◽  
Set Up

The Western missionaries’ attitude towards Asante indigenous belief systems created the impression that Christianity was unable to live side by side with Asante indigenous knowledge systems. The missionaries ended up creating tension between the Christian faith and the pre-missionary cultural values. The indigenous knowledge systems that informed the world views of the people were not considered an integral part of the available resources for the shaping of the Asante Christian worldview. The Salem communities, for example, were set up to facilitate the disconnection of the new converts from their cultural past. This study is about the available pre-missionary Asante indigenous knowledge systems that Robert Sutherland Rattray after thorough studies published and made available to facilitate all aspects of the Asante life especially interpretation and transmission of the Christian faith. With a critical examination of the various major works of Robert Rattray and observation of Asante cultural and Christian activities, the study identified some specific areas that the Asante indigenous knowledge systems have lived side by side with the Christian faith. The study concludes with a call for respect, pride and intentional exploration into the indigenous knowledge systems to serve the Asante and other Akan Christian needs. Keywords: Robert Sutherland Rattray, Indigenous Knowledge System, Christian Faith, Asante, Cultural Values.

Binarism as a Recipe for Lukewarm Research into Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Zimbabwe

2017 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Jacob Mapara
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Innovation Policy ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
The West ◽  
Good Science ◽  
Technology And Innovation ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge Systems ◽  
Lack Of Commitment ◽  
Science Technology And Innovation ◽  
Meaningful Research

The thesis of this chapter is that there is need for vigorous and robust research into Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in Zimbabwe. It argues that such research is afflicted by binarism, an affliction that permeates the Zimbabwean academic psyche. It notes that the major stumbling block to meaningful research emanates from the effects of western forms of epistemology that have affected some Zimbabwean scholars who have come to believe that all good science comes from the west. The researcher further argues that what makes the Zimbabwean situation so gloomy is the fact that the country does not have an IKS policy, but a science, technology and innovation policy that makes reference to IKS in passing. It is this lack of commitment, the paper further asserts, that afflicts academia because there are areas where government is expected to take a lead, but in the case of Zimbabwe, this leadership is lacking.

scholarly journals Indigenous knowledge, an unexploited source for Sustainable Development: An Opportunity for Africapitalism

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrietta Onwuegbuzie ◽  
Adun okpe ◽  
Eseroghene Orighoyegha
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Emerging Markets ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Management Philosophy ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge Systems ◽  
Socio Economic Development

<p>Sustainable development in developing countries, particularly in Africa, has been of interest among scholars, practitioners and policymakers for decades. There is increased acknowledgment of Indigenous knowledge as an underexploited, yet invaluable source of sustainable development in emerging markets. This paper thus examines the constructs of Africapitalism management philosophy and indigenous knowledge. We examine diverse ways through which Africapitalism can embed indigenous knowledge systems as a key growth driver for sustainable socio-economic development. Finally, we discuss the implications for researchers and policy makers.</p>

Colonizing Innovation:

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhinav CHATURVEDI ◽  
Alf REHN
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Postcolonial Theory ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
Frugal Innovation ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge Systems ◽  
Management Literature

Innovation is one of the most popular concepts and desired phenomena of contemporary Western capitalism. As such, there is a perennial drive to capture said phenomena, and particularly to find new ways to incite and drive the same. In this text, we analyze one specific tactic through which this is done, namely by the culturally colonial appropriation of indigenous knowledge systems. By looking to how jugaad, a system   of   frugal   innovation   in   India,   has been   made   into   fodder   for   Western management literature, we argue for the need of a more developed innovation critique, e.g., by looking to postcolonial theory.

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